Magnetized beverage container holder

ABSTRACT

A beverage container holder is disclosed which includes a magnet within the sleeve of a beverage container holder. The beverage container holder, along with any beverage container placed in the beverage container holder, may be mounted on any mounting surface having an associated ferrous material. The beverage container holder is held in place due to the force of the magnetic interaction between the magnet and the mounting surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/655,502, filed Jan. 19, 2007, entitled “Magnetized Beverage Container Holder” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,459, filed Mar. 5, 2003, entitled “Magnetized Beverage Container Holder”, which is incorporated herein by this reference. This application is also a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/248,542, filed Oct. 9, 2008, entitled “Magnetized Beverage Container Holder”, which is incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to holders for beverage containers, and more specifically, to a magnetized beverage container holder used to secure a beverage container to a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In numerous situations, for several reasons, people drink beverages from beverage containers, such as boating, tailgating, working, etc. For example, while boating a person may be exposed to heat and sun for several hours, and remaining hydrated is important. In many of these situations, finding a place to store the beverage container in which the container will not be inadvertently spilled or knocked over can be problematic. On a boat, for example, simply placing a beverage container on a flat surface is often unsatisfactory since the container may tip over as a result from typical movement of the boat rocking on the water. Likewise, when operating heavy machinery during construction or farming operations one might find it difficult or even impossible to retain a beverage without spilling. Similarly, at picnics or other outdoor gatherings, placing a beverage container on the ground may result in spilling as a result of a person or animal inadvertently kicking the container.

Numerous container holders exist which attempt to solve the above-mentioned problems. For example, holders exist for the attachment to platforms, such as boats, in which a beverage container may be placed. Such holders are typically secured to the platform by screws, for example. While such a holder provides a place for container storage, it also has disadvantages. For example, the holder is permanently secured in one place on the platform, thus providing limited flexibility for storing such beverage containers. While additional holders may be installed in areas which are most convenient for such storage, the additional holders may cause clutter in those areas. Furthermore, if a person wishes to be in an area which does not have a holder installed, that person must either hold the container, or store the container in area which does have a holder, which may be inconvenient for the person due to having to move to the other area every time they wish to drink from the container. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a holder for a beverage container which is able to be moved from place to place with relative ease, and which helps to prevent inadvertent spilling of the beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are addressed by the various embodiments and configurations of the present invention. The invention provides a method and apparatus for mounting a beverage container holder to a mounting surface. The beverage container holder includes a magnet and may be mounted to any mounting surface which contains a ferrous material in sufficient quantity to produce sufficient attraction to the magnet to secure and hold the beverage container holder, and beverage container, to the mounting surface.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a beverage container holder including a holder which is adapted to receive a beverage container, and a magnet operatively associated with the holder and operable to interact with a mounting surface. The magnet is operable to secure the holder to the mounting surface such that the side of the beverage container is at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be substantially vertical, thus holding the beverage container holder and beverage container in a substantially upright position. In one embodiment, the holder includes a pouch on the holder adapted to receive the magnet and secure the magnet to the holder. In another embodiment, the magnet is secured to the holder using adhesive. In another embodiment, the magnet is embedded within the holder, and the holder includes a visual indicator and/or surface texturing indicating the location of the magnet within the holder. The magnet has a total field strength of about 800-1200 gauss.

The mounting surface includes a ferrous material, and in one embodiment, the mounting surface is a ferrous material. The mounting surface may also include a non-ferrous material with a ferrous material adjacent thereto which interacts with the magnet to secure the holder to the mounting surface. The ferrous material may be secured with a rivet or other mechanical fastening device.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for securing a beverage container to a mounting surface. The method includes providing a holder adapted to receive the beverage container, the holder being operatively engaged with a magnet, and placing the holder adjacent to the mounting surface. The magnet is operable to interact with the mounting surface and secure the holder and beverage container to the mounting surface, with a side of the beverage container being at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a holder for a beverage container. The method of manufacturing includes forming a sleeve portion of the holder, with the sleeve portion being adapted to receive the beverage container. A magnet is secured to the sleeve portion in a position such that the side of the beverage container is substantially parallel to a mounting surface when the beverage container is located in the sleeve and the holder is engaged with the mounting surface. A base portion may be formed and secured to a first end of the sleeve, substantially closing the first end of the sleeve. The sleeve portion may be formed by injection molding an insulation material into a sleeve form. The sleeve portion may also be formed by stitching end portions of a rectangular fabric together to form the sleeve portion. A pouch may also be stitched to the sleeve, the pouch being adapted to receive the magnet, and the magnet inserted into the pouch. The magnet may also be secured to the sleeve with an adhesive, where the adhesive is applied to at least one of the magnet and the sleeve portion, the magnet is positioned against the sleeve portion, and the adhesive is cured to secure the magnet to the sleeve portion. The magnet may also be secured to the sleeve by inserting the magnet into a preformed aperture in the sleeve.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a beverage container holder including holding means for holding a beverage container, and mounting means for mounting the holding means to a mounting surface. The mounting means is secured to the holding means such that, when the beverage container is located in the holding means and the holding means is mounted to the mounting surface, a side of the beverage container is at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting means may include a magnet which is secured to the holding means.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a system for holding a beverage container. The system includes a beverage container, a holder adapted to receive the beverage container, a magnet operatively engaged with the holder, and a mounting surface operative to engage with the magnet and secure the holder to the mounting surface. When the holder is secured to the mounting surface, a side of the beverage container is substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be substantially vertical.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder for one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a pouch adapted to receive a magnet for one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder for another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder for another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface for one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface for another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface for another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a non-ferrous surface having a strip of ferrous material attached thereto according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a non-ferrous surface having a number of ferrous plates attached thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder having an embedded magnet according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having an embedded magnet and a visual and textured magnet location indicator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder having an embedded magnet according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having multiple magnets for an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having a magnetic strip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having multiple magnets for one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the mounting surface and beverage container holder include a bar magnet;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the mounting surface and beverage container holder include a disk magnet; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the mounting surface and beverage container holder include interlocking clips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustration of a beverage container holder 20 of one embodiment of the present invention is described. The beverage container holder 20 includes a sleeve 24 into which a beverage container 28 may be placed. The beverage container holder 20 also includes a magnet 32 which is secured to the sleeve 24. The beverage container holder 20 may also include a base 37 which helps to prevent the beverage container 28 from sliding completely through the sleeve 24 and can provide additional insulation. The magnet 32 serves to mount container holder 20 to any mounting surface. As used herein, mounting surface refers to any surface to which the beverage container holder 20 may be mounted. Mounting surfaces include ferrous materials, and non-ferrous materials which have a ferrous surface associated with them such that the magnet 32 has a sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the beverage container holder 20 to the mounting surface. A mounting surface may also have a second magnet associated therewith, which provides additional magnetic force to hold the beverage container holder 20 more securely to the mounting surface. In this manner, the beverage container holder 20 may be mounted in positions which are not necessarily predetermined.

The orientation of the various components are shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a plane 34 associated with the cylindrical side of the beverage container 28 is at least substantially parallel to a plane 35 associated with the longitudinal center line 35 of the magnet 32, and also at least substantially parallel to a plane 36 associated with a planar mounting surface 44. The base 37 of the holder 20 (and the top 38 and base (not shown) of the beverage container 28) is at least substantially normal to the plane 36 of the mounting surface 44.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the magnet 32 is affixed to the outer surface of the sleeve 24. The magnet 32 may be affixed in any of a number of ways. For example, in one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2 the sleeve 24 comprises flexible fabric, and includes a pouch 39. The pouch 39 is also formed of flexible fabric, and is secured to the sleeve 24 by stitching on at least two sides, and up to four sides. The magnet 32, illustrated by dashed lines, is placed within the pouch 39. In this embodiment, the pouch 39 is sized appropriately such that the magnet 32 is secure within the pouch 39, with relatively little movement possible, thus providing a relatively secure mount of the beverage container holder 20 to the mounting surface.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the magnet 32 is affixed to the sleeve 24 with adhesive 25 (FIG. 17). In this embodiment, the sleeve 24 may be either a flexible material or a rigid material. The magnet 32 may be affixed to the sleeve 24 by applying adhesive to one, or both, of the magnet 32 and sleeve 24, placing the magnet 32 adjacent to the appropriate area on the sleeve 24, and allowing the adhesive to cure. In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the sleeve 24 is formed of a rigid material having an aperture 40 designed to receive the magnet 32. The magnet 32 may be placed in the aperture 40, and secured with an adhesive. Alternatively, the aperture 40 may be sized appropriately such that the magnet 32 is held in place by frictional forces. The magnet may also be affixed in other fashions, such as, for example, the magnet 32 may be affixed to the sleeve 24 with a hook and loop material. The magnet may also be affixed by a mechanical fastening device, such as a rivet or screw.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the beverage container holder 20 of the present invention is illustrated as mounted to a vertical mounting surface 44. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 44 is a ferrous material. As will be understood, ferrous material is material which contains iron, such as steel, and is attracted to a magnet. The magnet 32 is of sufficient strength to hold a full beverage container 28, which is placed in the beverage container holder 20, to the mounting surface 44. The magnet 32, in one embodiment, has a total magnetic field of approximately 800-1200 gauss. The magnet, in one embodiment, is a neodymium 35 magnet with a residual flux density of 12,300 gauss. As will be appreciated, when mounting the beverage container holder 20 on the mounting surface 44, it may be mounted in any location on that surface, and hold the beverage container 28 in that position. While the embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrates a relatively large mounting surface to which the beverage container holder 20 mounts, the mounting surface 44 may be only a portion of the surface of a platform.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a platform 48 has a non-ferrous material 52 as the outside of the mounting surface 44 to which the beverage container holder 20 may be mounted, and a ferrous material 56 located behind this non-ferrous material 52. The non-ferrous material may be any thickness, provided that the flux between the magnet 32 and the ferrous material 56 is sufficient to securely hold the beverage container 28. As mentioned above, for one embodiment the flux between the magnet 32 and the ferrous material 56 is about 800-1200 gauss. The platform 48 may be, for example, a boat with the non-ferrous material 52 being fiberglass. Other examples of non-ferrous material include plastic, fabric, and non-ferrous metals. The beverage container holder 20 may be mounted in areas which have the ferrous material 56 located behind the non-ferrous material 52. This configuration may be more aesthetically desirable in some situations where exposed metal is not desired. For example, a boat may have a strip of ferrous material 56 located around its circumference, thus creating a mounting surface 44 which extends along this strip of ferrous material 56 allowing a beverage container holder 20 to be mounted anywhere along this strip around the entire boat.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, ferrous material 56 is located in front of a non-ferrous material 52 to form a mounting surface. In this case, the ferrous material 62 is visible, and the beverage container holder 20 may be mounted thereon. In one embodiment, the ferrous material 62 is covered with a protective coating in order to help prevent corrosion from, for example, salt water. The ferrous material 62 may be in the form of a strip of material, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the ferrous material may be in the form of decorative plates 66 which are mounted periodically on the external surface of the non-ferrous material 52. Thus, a beverage container holder 20 could be mounted directly on the strip of ferrous material 62, or on any of these decorative plates 66.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder 70 of another embodiment of the present invention. The beverage container holder 70 includes an outer sleeve 74 which has an embedded magnet 78. In this embodiment, the sleeve 74 of the beverage container holder 70 includes insulation which helps keep the beverage in the container either hot or cold. The magnet 78 is embedded within this insulation, resulting in a sleeve 74 for the beverage container holder 70 which is relatively smooth. FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder 70, and a beverage can 28, of this embodiment. The sleeve 74 of the beverage container holder 70 may also include a marking 82 or other visual indication of where the magnet 78 is located, allowing a user to quickly recognize which side of the beverage container holder 70 should be placed against the mounting surface in order to mount the beverage container holder 70. In another embodiment, the sleeve 74 of the beverage container holder 70 includes different surface texturing instead of, or in addition to a visual indication. This allows for a user to feel which portion of the beverage container holder 70 should be placed against the ferrous material. Additionally, the surface texturing may include a material which has a relatively high friction, such as a rubberized polymer, which helps prevent the beverage container holder 70 from sliding when placed against the mounting surface. FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment, in which the magnet 78 is located adjacent to the inside surface of the sleeve 74. Such a configuration may result in reduced manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if the beverage container holder 70 is made of rigid material, an aperture for receiving the magnet 78 may be molded into the inside surface of the sleeve 74, which may then receive the magnet 78 and secure it with adhesive or frictional forces.

The magnet within the beverage container holder has numerous alternative configurations. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a beverage container holder 86 may have two magnets 90, in a vertical orientation with respect to one another. This vertical orientation of the magnets 90 help ensure the beverage container holder 86 does not rotate around a single magnet. In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 14, a beverage container holder 94 includes a magnet 98 which is configured as a vertical strip from the top to the bottom of the beverage container holder 94. In still a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 15, a beverage container holder 102 includes multiple magnets 106 located regularly or irregularly around the periphery of the beverage container holder 102. This configuration allows the beverage container holder 102 to be mounted in more than one orientation relative to the mounting surface.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 16, a mounting surface 110 also includes a second magnet 118. In this embodiment, the mounting surface includes a non-ferrous material 114, and the second magnet 118 located on a side of the non-ferrous material 114 which is opposite the surface which will contact the beverage container holder 20. The second magnet 118 is a bar type magnet having a south pole 122 and a north pole 126 aligned in an vertical orientation. The magnet 32 of the beverage container holder 20 is also a bar type magnet having a north pole 130 and a south pole 132, arranged in a vertical orientation. In this embodiment, the north pole 130 and the south pole 132 of the magnet 32 are aligned in an opposite vertical orientation as the north pole 126 and south pole 122 of the second magnet 118. Accordingly, the magnets 32, 118 are attracted to each other which works to secure the beverage container holder 20 to the mounting surface 110.

Having a second magnet 118 associated with the mounting surface allows for a stronger interaction with the magnet 32 and the mounting surface 110 than would be present if the mounting surface simply has a ferrous material. Thus, in this embodiment, the non-ferrous material 114 may be relatively thick, and/or the magnet 32 may not be required to be as strong as compared to the strength of a magnet required to secure the beverage container holder 20 to a mounting surface not having a second magnet.

Another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 17, a mounting surface 136 includes a second magnet 140, associated with a non-ferrous surface 144. The second magnet 140 is a disk type magnet including a south pole 148, and a north pole 152 on opposite sides of the disk. The beverage container holder 20 includes magnet 32, having a north pole 156 and a south pole 160 located on opposite sides of a disk magnet. In this embodiment, the second magnet 140 is attached to the non-ferrous material 144 of the mounting surface 136 such that the south pole 148 is oriented toward the surface which will contact the beverage container holder 20. The magnet 32 is attached to the beverage container holder 20 such that the north pole 156 is closest to the mounting surface 136. Accordingly, the magnets 32, 140, are attracted to each other and secure the beverage container holder to the mounting surface 136. Similarly as described above, having the second magnet 140 may allow for a thicker non-ferrous material 144, and/or allow for a magnet 32 associated with the beverage container holder 20 which is not required to be as strong, relative to what would be required if there were no second magnet 140 associated with the mounting surface.

It will be understood that the invention includes further embodiments which may have magnets associated with the mounting surface, such as, for example, a mounting surface having multiple magnets associated therewith such that the beverage container holder may be mounted in various positions. Furthermore, the magnet associated with the mounting surface may be embedded within the non-ferrous material, or may be located on the side of the mounting surface which contacts the beverage container holder. Furthermore, magnets associated with the mounting surface may be configured to align with the magnets of the beverage container holders described with reference to FIGS. 13-15.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 18, the beverage container holder 20 includes a clip attachment 200. The clip attachment 200 is adapted to engage with a clip 204, which is attached to a non-ferrous surface 208. In this embodiment, rivets 212 are used to secure the clip 204 to the non-ferrous surface 208. The clip attachment 200 includes a magnet 216, which is oriented to be attracted to a magnet 220 located in the clip 204. In this embodiment, the beverage container holder 20, and associated beverage container, are held in position in the clip 204 quite securely.

Numerous alternatives also exist for the configuration of the beverage container holder. As mentioned above, the holder may be made of a flexible material, or a rigid material. The beverage container holder may have different sizes, in order to accommodate beverage containers which are different sizes, such as different sized beverage cans, bottles, cups, or glasses, for example. Alternatively, the beverage container holder may be expandable or adjustable to receive different sized beverage containers. Furthermore, the beverage container holder may be large enough to completely cover the beverage container, having an aperture for a straw, or having a zipper or other closure device which may be opened in order to access the beverage within the beverage container.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g. as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. 

1-64. (canceled)
 65. A method for securing a beverage container to a mounting surface, comprising: providing an insulated holder containing said beverage container, the holder having a sleeve portion, a base portion, magnet positioned in the sleeve portion of the holder, and a height above the base portion, the holder having a fixed diameter along substantially the entire height; and placing said holder adjacent to and in contact with said mounting surface, wherein said magnet maintains said holder and beverage container in a desired position and orientation on said mounting surface, wherein said mounting surface is substantially vertical and engages the side of the holder containing the magnet, wherein a side of the beverage container is at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface when the holder is in contact with said mounting surface, wherein a layer of insulation material is positioned between the magnet and the mounting surface when the holder is in contact with said mounting surface, and wherein a magnetic force of attraction at the interface between the holder and the mounting surface is sufficient to overcome a gravitational force exerted on the beverage container and the holder, whereby said holder and beverage container remain stationary at the desired position on the mounting surface.
 66. The method of claim 64, wherein the magnet is positioned only in an upper half of the holder, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the holder adjacent to the magnet is coplanar with an elongated portion of the lower half of the holder, the elongated portion of the holder extending substantially an entire height of the lower half of the holder.
 67. The method of claim 64, wherein said holder includes a pouch operatively engaged to said holder, said pouch adapted to receive said magnet, and wherein said magnet is inserted into said pouch.
 68. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnetic force of attraction is at least about 1200 gauss and said magnet comprises neodymium.
 69. The method of claim 64, wherein the sleeve portion of the holder is not wrappable about the container.
 70. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnet is embedded within said holder such that a second layer of insulation material lies between the magnet and the beverage container.
 71. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnet is positioned adjacent to a side wall of the beverage container and at a distance from the ends of the beverage container in the placing step and wherein a second layer between the magnet and the mounting surface.
 72. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnetic force of attraction ranges from about 800 to 12,300 gauss.
 73. The method of claim 64, wherein said mounting surface is a non-ferrous material with a ferrous material located adjacent thereto and wherein the non-ferrous material is positioned between the magnet and the ferrous material.
 74. The method of claim 64, wherein said holder includes surface texturing on an outside surface of the holder adjacent to the magnet and wherein the surface texturing is in the insulation material.
 75. The method of claim 64, wherein an exterior portion of the holder is adjacent to and covers a face of the magnet and wherein at least most of the exterior portion of the holder is planar to engage the mounting surface.
 76. The method of claim 75, wherein said magnet is located in an upper half and not a lower half of said holder. 77-81. (canceled) 